Initial Applicants: A status of “Pending” means your application is under review. If anything is missing, a licensor will contact you in writing.

Renewal Applicants: Once your renewal is processed, you will see an updated expiration date. Paper applications require two weeks for processing. Online applications require three to five business days.

You may download the Change of Address form and submit it via mail, fax (916-324-2875), or email at paramedic@emsa.ca.gov.

3. How do I submit a name change?

You must complete a Personal Information Update form and submit it via mail, fax (916-324-2875), or email at paramedic@emsa.ca.gov.

Include copies of one of the following:

Old and New Driver’s Licenses

Court Document(s) showing old and new information

Certificate(s) showing new and old information

Old and new social security number cards

4. How can I get a receipt?

To receive a copy of your payment receipt, please contact EMSA via paramedic@emsa.ca.gov or by mail, and include your license number and name in your request.

5. How can I contact EMSA?

You can contact the Paramedic Licensure Unit by sending an email to: paramedic@emsa.ca.gov or by calling (916) 323-9875.

How do I become a Paramedic? (Initial Licensure)

1. I have passed my NREMT exams, what is my next step to becoming licensed?

Congratulations!

Your next step is to determine your application type (In-State, Out-of-State, or Challenge) and decide whether to submit an online application or a paper application.

Once your completed application, supporting documents, and fee are submitted, a licensor will review your application to determine license approval.

2. How do I know whether to choose an In-State, Out-of-State, or Challenge application?

The application type is based on the source of your paramedic training/experience:

Initial In-State: For applicants who have successfully completed an approved paramedic training program in the state of California. The form is available at the following link: Paramedic Forms page.

Out-of-State: for applicants whose paramedic training was outside the state of California (including during military service or while residing in another country,) or who are currently licensed as a paramedic outside the state of California. The form is available at the following link: Paramedic Forms page.

Challenge: For applicants who are currently licensed as a Physician, Physician Assistant’s, Registered Nurse, or Mobile Intensive Care Nurse. The form is available at the following link: Paramedic Forms page.

**Note: The requirements for each application type are listed on page two (2) of the paper application, and in a table on the online licensing system.

8. I have a paramedic license in another State or trained outside of California, how do I get a California license?

Complete and sign the Initial Out-of-State Application . Submit the application with a check, money order, or credit card payment (credit card authorization form included with application packet) and the following supporting documents:

A copy of any of the following: a valid government or country issued photo ID or passport, a birth certificate, U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident card or U.S. Lawful Resident Alien card

Proof of paramedic course completion;

Proof of 40 ALS patient contacts in a field care setting from an employer or your paramedic training program. The proof of completion must be provided either on a letter with official letterhead from an employer or his/her representative or an official document from a paramedic training program.

Proof of passing the NREMT paramedic exams within the past two (2) years orcurrent NREMT paramedic certification

Live Scan/Fingerprint card completion

**Note: If you require a letter of support to take the NREMT exams, please include a note requesting the support when submitting your application. Once the application, background check, and other supporting documents are received, EMSA will provide a letter to NREMT.

9. I am a RN, MD, PA or MICN, can my education and experience contribute to becoming a licensed paramedic?

Yes. To become a licensed paramedic using your education and experience, you must meet the challenge application eligibility requirements. Education and experience may be used to meet the didactic and clinical portions of a paramedic training programs required course curriculum; however, you must still complete the following:

Attend a field internship that includes 40 ALS patient contacts, from an approved paramedic training program.

To apply, complete and sign the Initial Challenge Application. Submit the application with a check, money order, or credit card payment (credit card authorization form included with application packet) and the following supporting documents:

A copy of any of the following: a valid government or country issued photo ID or passport, a birth certificate, U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident card or U.S. Lawful Resident Alien card

A copy of your qualifying, current medical license. If the license is issued in a state outside of California, you must provide official transcripts or other educational documents from your medical training program(s) that reflect courses equivalent to the 2009 National EMS Education Standards.

Proof of field internship completion;

Proof of 40 ALS patient contacts in a field care setting from an employer or your paramedic training program. The proof of completion must be provided either on a letter with official letterhead from an employer or his/her representative or an official document from a paramedic training program.

**Note: If you require a letter of support to take the NREMT exams, please include a note requesting the support when submitting your application. Once the application, background check, and other supporting documents are received, EMSA will provide a letter to NREMT.

10.I am from outside the US, how do I get a California license?

To become a paramedic in California, you must prove that you meet the National Educational Standards for paramedics as well as those found within the State regulations.

Complete and sign the Initial Out-of-State Application . Submit the application with a check, money order, or credit card payment (credit card authorization form included with application packet) and the following supporting documents:

A copy of any of the following: a valid government or country issued photo ID or passport, a birth certificate, U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident card or U.S. Lawful Resident Alien card

Complete training transcripts and proof of program completion. If documents are in any language other than English, you must provide translations completed by a certified translator.

Proof of 40 ALS patient contacts in a field care setting from an employer or your training program. The proof of completion must be provided either on a letter with official letterhead from an employer or his/her representative or an official document from a paramedic training program.

Proof of passing the National Registry of EMT-Paramedic (NREMT) exams within the past two (2) years orcurrent NREMT paramedic certification.

Live Scan/Fingerprint card completion

**Note: If you require a letter of support to take the NREMT exams, please include a note requesting the support when submitting your application. Once the application, background check, and other supporting documents are received, EMSA will provide a letter to NREMT. Passing the exams does not guarantee NREMT registration. You must contact National Registry of EMT’s for instructions for instructions to become registered.

11. What is proof of paramedic program completion?

Proof of paramedic program completion is a certificate or letter signed by the medical director of your training program, provided to you after you have successfully completed all didactic, clinical, and field internship training.

12. What can I use as proof of passing the NREMT? Does it have to be current?

Only a current NREMT-Paramedic level card, or passing exam results within the past two years is accepted for proof of completing the National Registry requirement.

Documentation must contain your name, and either dates of successful exam completion or the expiration date for your current National Registration.

Submit one of the following for proof of passing the National Registry of EMT-Paramedic level exams:

A copy of a current NREMT-Paramedic level card

Print-outs of both written and skills results from the NREMT website

13. What is the proof of 40 ALS patient contacts requirement?

The proof of completion must be provided either on a letter with official letterhead from an employer or his/her representative or an official document from a paramedic training program.

The document must include your name, the number of successful ALS patient contacts you completed, the name of the employer or training program, and a signature from an employer or program representative.

**Note: FISDAP records, alone, are not accepted. They must contain official program letterhead and the name and signature of the program representative for the paramedic program.

14. What is the difference between Live Scan and Fingerprint Cards?

Live Scan is an internal, state-specific process for taking an individual’s fingerprints electronically. Live Scan results are electronically forwarded directly to the California DOJ and cannot be communicated across state lines. For more information, select the following link, Instructions for Live Scans.

A fingerprint card is a physical card (Form #FD258 FPC) obtained at local law enforcement offices, or the EMSA can mail one. Once fingerprints are placed on the card, mail it to the California Department of Justice (DOJ), including the fee of $49 for processing.

Submit a complaint to the Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA) in the jurisdiction of the program. Jurisdictions are determined by individual counties, or groups of counties.

Click the following link to find a list of LEMSA’s and their contact information: LEMSA Information.

NREMT

1. What is the NREMT?

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serves as the national EMS certification organization by providing a valid, uniform process to assess the knowledge and skills required for competent practice required by EMS professionals throughout their careers. The California EMS Authority adopted the NREMT testing as its proof of skills competency. Proof of passing both the NREMT written and practical exams is required prior to licensure.

3. I have a lapsed license and need to retake the NREMT test. How do I do that?

You will need to submit a complete and signed reinstatement application packet with payment of the application fee to the EMS Authority. You must also contact the NREMT directly to discuss your eligibility to take their exams. NREMT may require a letter of support from the EMS Authority. Upon receiving your completed application packet and fee paid, the EMS Authority will review your submitted information for letter of support consideration.

4.What is the difference between the NREMT certification test and the assessment exam?

The NREMT certification test allows the tester to receive a certification of competency that is accepted in most states. The NREMT provides an assessment examination for use by state EMS offices seeking cognitive evaluation of a potential licensee. The results of the assessment exams are only made available to the state that you are testing for.

5.Do I have to maintain my NREMT registration?

No, the California EMS Authority does not require you to maintain the NREMT registration for continued licensure. However, if in the future your license is lapsed for over one year, you will be required to show proof of a current NREMT registration or proof of passing the exams within the two years prior to your reinstatement.

6.How long are my exam results valid for?

A paramedic applicant must have passed the NREMT exams within the last two years in order for them to be considered valid.

7.What happens if I don’t pass the licensing exam? How many times may I retake it?

Renewals

1. How do I renew my license online?

The online licensing system link and user guides are available HERE. You may use the online licensing system to update your residential and mailing information (P.O. box addresses are only accepted for mailing information), employment information, and you may make the payment for your renewal.

A course log is not required. Instead, you will answer a questionnaire confirming your completion of 48 hours of continuing education during your licensure cycle.

You MUST sign and upload the Signature Attestation form, which is available on our Forms page.

Online application review occurs within five-to-seven business days of online application submission.

2.How do I renew my license using the paper application?

Paper applications with payment may be mailed or hand-delivered directly to EMSA. To submit your paper application, download the fillable Renewal Application from the EMS Authority’s web site. Once complete, you MUST print and sign the application, then mail it to the EMS Authority. Please read all the instructions on the form carefully and fill it out completely, including answering the yes or no questions and signing the application.

A course log is not required. Instead, you must initial next to a statement confirming your completion of 48 hours of continuing education during your licensure cycle.

You may send your application up-to five months in advance. Sending your application in early does not change your expiration date; but ensures your application can be processed and your new card received well in-advance of your license expiring.

If your renewal application is submitted online, post-marked, or hand-delivered to our office at least thirty (30) days before your expiration date, the renewal fee is $200.00.

If your renewal application is submitted less than thirty days before your license expiration date, a late fee in the amount of $50.00 is assessed, and the total fee for license renewal is $250.00.

Fee payment does not guarantee license renewal. Your application must be complete, including all required fields and questions, and signing the paper application OR uploading the Signature Attestation form when submitting online.

4. When can I submit my renewal application?

Renewal applications are accepted up to five months before the expiration of your current license.

5. When is my renewal application due?

Your renewal due date is best on your expiration date. To avoid the assessment of a late fee, your application must be submitted online, post-marked, or hand-delivered by the date listed in the column on the right, corresponding with your license expiration date.

Renewal Deadline Table

LICENSE EXPIRATION DATE:

POSTMARKED or HAND DELIVERED ON or BEFORE:

January 31

January 2

February 28/February 29

January 30/ January 31

March 31

March 2

April 30

April 1

May 31

May 2

June 30

June 1

July 31

July 2

August 31

August 2

September 30

September 1

October 31

October 2

November 30

November 1

December 31

December 2

6.How long will it take to get my license renewed?

Staff has 30 business days from the day a completedrenewal application is received in-office, regardless of paper or online submission, to complete the processing of a license renewal. If the application is deficient, you are required to amend the deficiency before your application is considered complete. If your application remains incomplete within less than thirty (30) days of your expiration date, you are required to pay a late fee in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00).

Online application review occurs within five to seven business days of online application submission.

Paper application review occurs within two to three weeks of paper application submission.

7. What is an application deficiency?

An application deficiency is a required answer, signature, or payment that is missing from your application renewal. Examples include:

Declined or incomplete payment with a paper application

Failing to answer required questionnaires on the paper or online application

Failing to initial for completion of 48 hours of continuing education on the paper application

Failure to sign a paper application

Failure to upload a signed Signature Attestation form for an online application

8. Why do I have to pay a late fee?

A late fee in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) is assessed under any of these conditions:

The application is submitted online or mailed less than thirty (30) days before your license expiration date.

The application is reviewed and found incomplete less than thirty (30) days before your license expiration date.

A deficiency response is submitted less than thirty (30) days before your expiration date.

Late fees are not waived unless you can show proof of submitting a completed application, (including paper application signature/online application signed Signature Attestation form), by providing a receipt or online confirmation dated prior to the thirty-day, late fee deadline.

9. What is Instructor Based Continuing Education?

Instructor based CE’s are courses in which you are the student. This includes taking online courses where there is an instructor available to answer your questions within 24 hours.

CE certificates for EMS-approved courses taken in California are required to list whether a course is instructor or non-instructor based.

If you are using CEs from another state, you may be asked to submit proof that the program is approved by that state to offer EMS CEs.

Board of Registered Nursing, Physician Assistant Board, American Medical Association, and other NON-EMS courses cannot be used for continuing education credit.

11. Can I count out-of-state CEs?

If you are using CEs that are approved by another state, you must obtain CE certificates or a letter confirming they are approved in that state, to provide in the event your application is marked for Audit. This can be a CE certificate listing the state’s approval information, or this can be other verification such as an EMS Office or EMS Authority print out from the state’s web site showing the approved program.

12. Can I use college courses?

Yes. College course units can be used toward your continuing education hours if they are in the fields of physical, behavioral and social sciences, or if they are from a college nursing program. These courses must start and end within your licensure cycle.

Units taken in a semester system are worth 15 hours each, and units taken in a quarter system are worth 10 hours each.

13. Can I count CEs hours for teaching/instructing a course or acting as a preceptor?

Yes. Any CE hours that you have instructed or precepted through an approved CE provider are considered non-Instructor based hours and are accepted towards your renewal. You must submit a minimum of 24 instructor-based hours for renewal.

Preceptor hours are counted hour-for-hour and must be issued by the Approved Prehospital training program where precepting occurs.

Course instructors may claim up to twenty-four hours of instruction, but each course title may only be claimed once. If you instruct a BLS course three times for six hours each, you may only claim six hours for that course. If you teach a BLS course for six hours and an ACLS course for eight hours, you may claim a total of fourteen hours.

14. How old can my CEs be and still count toward the 48 hour continuing education requirement?

CEs must be taken during your two-year licensure cycle, or during the last month of your previous renewal cycle. For example, if your license expires on June 30, 2019, you may use certificates as old as June 1, 2017 for your license renewal.

Check your paramedic license card to confirm the dates of your license cycle. Courses used for continuing education must be taken during the timeframe listed on your paramedic license.

ALL INFORMATION IS ALSO LOCATED IN YOUR REGULATIONS, TITLE 22, CHAPTERS 4 & 11.

Audits Renewals

1.I’ve been selected for audit, what does this mean?

The licensure software randomly selects 10% of each month’s renewal candidates for audit. An audit consists of the licensure staff verifying all the continuing education (CE) hours you are submitting for your license renewal.

2. What do I need to provide for the audit?

You must provide CE certificates for all CE hours submitted for this renewal cycle.

If you are using EMS-approved courses taken in another state, you must provide CE certificates with information confirming they are approved in that state. The CE certificate or letter must list the state’s approval information. If CE certificates are unavailable be other verification such as an EMS Office or EMS Authority print out from the state’s web site showing the approved program.

If you are using college courses, you must send in official transcripts. Colleges will not verify attendance due to student confidentiality.

3. How do I submit my renewal application with CE certificates online?

The online licensing system link and user guides are available at HERE. You may use the online licensing system to update your residential and mailing information (P.O. box addresses are only accepted for mailing information), employment information, and you may make the payment for your renewal.

A course log is not required. Instead, you will answer a questionnaire confirming your completion of 48 hours of continuing education during your licensure cycle.

You MUST sign and upload the Signature Attestation form, which is available on our Forms page.

You MUST upload your CE certificates for all 48 hours of CE taken within your licensure cycle.

EMSA may take up to 30 days to complete the audit of your CE certificates, which includes verifying your attendance and completion of every course submitted with your renewal. Submit your application as early as possible to provide enough time for audit completion before your license expires.

If you are using CEs from another state, you may be asked to submit proof that the program is approved by that state to offer EMS CEs.

Board of Registered Nursing, Physician Assistant Board, American Medical Association, and other NON-EMS courses cannot be used for continuing education credit.

6. Can I count out-of-state CEs?

If you are using CEs that are approved by another state, you must obtain CE certificates or a letter confirming they are approved in that state, to provide in the event your application is marked for Audit. This can be a CE certificate listing the state’s approval information, or this can be other verification such as an EMS Office or EMS Authority print out from the state’s web site showing the approved program.

7. Can I use college courses?

Yes. College course units can be used toward your continuing education hours if they are in the fields of physical, behavioral and social sciences, or if they are from a college nursing program. These courses must start and end within your licensure cycle.

Units taken in a semester system are worth 15 hours each, and units taken in a quarter system are worth 10 hours each.

8. Can I count CEs hours for teaching/instructing a course or acting as a preceptor?

Yes. Any CE hours that you have instructed or precepted through an approved CE provider are considered non-Instructor based hours and are accepted towards your renewal. You must submit a minimum of 24 instructor-based hours for renewal.

Preceptor hours are counted hour-for-hour and must be issued by the Approved Prehospital training program where precepting occurs.

Course instructors may claim up to twenty-four hours of instruction, but each course title may only be claimed once. If you instruct a BLS course three times for six hours each, you may only claim six hours for that course. If you teach a BLS course for six hours and an ACLS course for eight hours, you may claim a total of fourteen hours.

9. What is Instructor Based Continuing Education?

Instructor based CE’s are courses in which you are the student. This includes taking online courses where there is an instructor available to answer your questions within 24 hours.

CE certificates for EMS-approved courses taken in California are required to list whether a course is instructor or non-instructor based.

10. How old can my CEs be and still count toward the 48-hour continuing education requirement?

CEs must be taken during your two-year licensure cycle, or during the last month of your previous renewal cycle. For example, if your license expires on June 30, 2019, you may use certificates as old as June 1, 2017 for your license renewal.

ALL INFORMATION IS ALSO LOCATED IN YOUR REGULATIONS, TITLE 22, CHAPTERS 4 & 11.

Reinstating a Lapsed License

1.What are the requirements for a lapsed license

The requirements for a lapsed license depend on the length of time since the license expiration:

2. I was a paramedic before National Registry was a requirement and my license lapsed more than one year ago. Do I still have to tale the written and skills tests?

Yes. EMSA adopted the NREMT testing as its proof of skills competency for all paramedics. Proof of passing both the NREMT written and practical exams is required prior to re-licensure after a lapse of one year or more.

First, contact NREMT to discuss your exam eligibility.

If NREMT requires a letter of support from EMSA, you must submit your Reinstatement Application for review. Once a completed application is submitted, including payment and all supporting documentation as-required in application instructions, EMSA will review your information for Letter of Support consideration.

Approved CEs can come from a number of sources. These include approved California CE Providers, CECBEMS approved providers, University or College Units and approved CEs from other states.

If you are using CEs from another state, you must submit proof that the program is approved by that state to offer paramedic CE.3

If you are using CEs from another state, you may be asked to submit proof that the program is approved by that state to offer EMS CEs.

4. Can I count CEs hours for teaching/instructing a course or acting as a preceptor?

Yes. Any CE hours that you have instructed or precepted through an approved CE provider are considered non-Instructor based hours and are accepted towards your reinstatement. You must submit a minimum of 24 instructor-based hours for reinstatement.

Preceptor hours are counted hour-for-hour and must be issued by the Approved Prehospital training program where precepting occurs.

Course instructors may claim up to twenty-four hours of instruction, but each course title may only be claimed once. If you instruct a BLS course three times for six hours each, you may only claim six hours for that course. If you teach a BLS course for six hours and an ACLS course for eight hours, you may claim a total of fourteen hours

5.What is instructor Based Continuing Education?

Instructor based CE’s are courses in which you are the student. This includes taking online courses where there is an instructor available to answer your questions within 24 hours.

CE certificates for EMS-approved courses taken in California are required to list whether a course is instructor or non-instructor based.

6. How old can my CEs be and still count toward the continuing education requirement?

CEs must be LESS THAN two years old. Once a license lapses, the timeframe begins to change and depends on the date you submit a completed reinstatement application.

Example:

If your license expired January 31, 2019, your previous CE cycle went from January 1, 2017 to January 31, 2019 and CE course hours could date back to January of 2017.

If your completed reinstatement application is submitted in March of 2019, your new CE cycle for this reinstatement application is March 1, 2017 to March 31, 2019. As of March 1, 2019, any CEs from January or February of 2017 are over two years old and are no longer va

EMT

1. Where can I find information about becoming a EMT?

EMT certifications are processed through the Local EMS Agencies.While limited information can be found on the EMS Authorities Web site, your best source of information would be the Local EMS Agency you are planning on certifying with.

2.What is required to become an EMT?

EMT certifications are processed through the Local EMS Agencies.While limited information can be found on the EMS Authorities Web site, your best source of information would be the Local EMS Agency you are planning on certifying with.